The Central Connection
HCRHS District Newsletter - October 2026
Check out our website calendar to stay up to date on the latest events and important dates!
DATES TO NOTE:
October 2: Thespians Showcase, 7:00PM in Little Theater, open to the public
October 5-9: Week of Respect
October 7: Parent Engagement Committee Meeting, open to any HC parent/guardian, 6:30PM in IMC
October 9: Homecoming Football Game, 6:00PM on Stewart Field
October 9: Homecoming Dance, 9th-12th grades, 7:00-10:00PM in the Commons
October 12: Early Dismissal for Students at 12:00PM, PM Staff In-Service
October 13: School Picture Retakes and Makeups
October 15: PSAT Test for 9th-11th graders
October 15: Virtual Financial Aid Night, 6:30PM
October 22: Magnet Program Showcase for 7th and 8th grade students and families, 6:30PM in the Commons
October 26: Board of Education Meeting, public session starts at 7:00PM in IMC
October 29: World Language Honor Society Inductions, 5:00PM in Auditorium
October 30: Thespians Showcase, 7:00PM in Little Theater, open to the public
To the Dance Team
As they have qualified for Nationals in February! In addition, the team recently earned the following awards: All Blue Ribbons for routine evaluations (this is the highest award); the Superior Trophy; Drill Down 1st Place: Tessa Anderson; Drill Down 2nd Place: Sofia Harrington; Drill Down 3rd Place: Kelsie Tyler; Pin it Forward: Evelyn Totaro; and All Americans: Evelyn Totaro, Sara Adams, Mirabella Apostolis.
To the Robotics Team
As they were recognized by the Hunterdon County Commissioners for their first appearance in Worlds earlier this year! Team Daleks is the only robotics team in Hunterdon county. Contact Mr. Dan Wasserman if interested in joining.
The PSAT Test will be administered to 9th, 10th and 11th graders on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Seniors can come in late by 10:40AM and report the Commons entrance for attendance (as long as they have not been contacted to take the NJGPA).
We will run a modified bell schedule on October 15 to accommodate testing:
Testing - 7:35 - 10:45
Block 1 - 10:50 - 11:25
Block 2 - 11:30 - 12:05
Unit lunch - 12:05 - 12:35
Block 3 - 12:40 - 1:15
Block 4 - 1:20 - 2:03
Tutorial - 2:15 - 2:50
(There will be no tutorial on October 14th in preparation for the PSAT administration.)
Students are registered for the PSAT test by Hunterdon Central so there is nothing you need to do. More information will be sent out to students and parents soon!
Welcome back to another school year at Hunterdon Central! Our first month has quickly flown by, full of excitement and positive energy. As we begin a new school year, I want to share our District Goals for 2026–2027. These goals represent the work we will prioritize this year to continue enhancing the experience of every student at Hunterdon Central. Across five areas—Student Learning Experience, Future Ready, Engagement, Health & Wellness, and Finance & Operations—we are focusing on how we use our resources and programs to help students learn, grow, and prepare for their futures.
These goals also serve as an important link between the strategic plan developed with our community this past spring and the work taking place in Hunterdon Central each day. Through the strategic planning process, students, families, staff, Board members, and community members identified shared priorities around student learning, future readiness, engagement, and health and wellness. More than 120 participants contributed to that process across three meetings, helping to shape a vision for the skills and experiences we want our graduates to carry with them. This year’s District Goals take those broader priorities and translate them into specific actions. From examining our master bell schedule and developing a competency pathway for our Portrait of a Graduate, to strengthening student engagement and wellness supports, and to connecting our financial decisions to student outcomes.
Each of these goals is connected to our most important responsibility as a school district, to create the conditions for every student to learn and achieve success. Thank you to our families for your continued partnership and for the many ways you contribute to the success of our students and our school community. I also encourage you to join us for our Parent Engagement Committee meeting on October 7th at 6:30PM in the IMC, where we will continue the discussion on the strategic plan and district goals and learn from one another. With respect as our theme for October, it is a fitting time to come together, listen to different perspectives, and work collectively on behalf of our students.
- Jessica Cangelosi-Hade, HCRHSD Superintendent
Now that the first month of the school year has come to a close this week, here are a few comments and challenges to share with all.
On Wednesday, September 23rd, we held our first activities fair. It was great to see so many students and staff members interacting during unit lunch about what some of the clubs have to offer (see photos below). If you are already involved in one of our clubs, teams, or groups, I challenge you to reach out to fellow students who are not…invite them to a meeting or event…let’s increase the involvement to build a stronger community.
Students…we are four weeks into classes…you have a good sense by now of what is expected of you, and how you can succeed, in each of your classes. One tool to consider using is a calendar….whether it is the Google calendar on your chromebook, or a physical calendar…use the calendar to keep track of tasks, to map out long term projects, to mark down events you want to attend…and make it a part of your routine for learning and for growth.
If you need help in any way, our teachers are the best first resource if you need help in your learning. Also, you have your counselors, vice principal, nurse, secretary, the whole house team, if you need anything else. At the full class meetings, the house teams introduced themselves, they shared where their offices are, and how to connect with them. Think of who are your “go-to” people, and where are they if you need to find them. There are times when you may feel alone, that you don’t feel like you can reach one of your people, well, take a look at the back of the school ID. On the back, down on the bottom is a free, 24/7 resource for you, the 2nd Floor Youth Hotline at 1-888-222-2228. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, and you can’t connect with one of your people for any reason, you have that resource too.
Going back to a school community…each one of you is part of this community…and the community has resources for you as well.
So, as we head into October, I challenge each of you to get involved, to use a calendar to help build your work habits, and to know the resources that are available to you. Additionally, October contains the Week of Respect. Let’s make this a theme that goes well beyond one week. As we continue to strengthen our school community and build work habits, let’s also build on the value of treating each other with respect in all that we do.
- Edward C. Brandt, HCRHS Principal
This year, Hunterdon Central's Magnet Program expanded to include two new academies: Learners to Leaders Education Academy and Performing Arts Academy, which are both off to a great start! We are excited to see so many incoming freshmen enrolled in the introductory courses for these academies and we hope they will continue the academy's sequence of courses.
Each academy in the Magnet Program consists of a cohesive series of three or four courses and includes opportunities for dual enrollment or articulated college credit, an industry-valued credential, or both. Students participate in a capstone project before completing the academy and they will earn an endorsement on their high school diploma.
On September 30th, Hunterdon Central supervisors and teachers of the academies recognized 140 students who committed to an academy by entering year two in the sequence of courses (see photo below). Students received a laptop sticker during the event and were officially welcomed into their respective magnet academy. We look forward to continuing this tradition every year for each academy!
If you have younger children or know any current 7th and 8th graders, we are hosting our Magnet Program Showcase on October 22, 2026 at 6:30PM in the Commons. Attendees will hear an overview presentation of the Magnet Program and then can rotate through different academies to learn more from teachers and current academy students. Information on our Magnet Program is available on our website.
Latest news from Red Devils Sports!
A Strong Start to the Fall Season!
The fall athletic season is officially underway, and it has been an exciting and successful start for Hunterdon Central Athletics! Our student-athletes have been competing with tremendous effort, pride, and sportsmanship, representing Hunterdon Central both on and off the field. With all of our fall sports now in action, we are already seeing some impressive accomplishments and memorable moments across our athletic programs.
Girls Tennis Finishes 2nd at Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Championship
Congratulations to Girls Tennis on an outstanding performance at the HWS Championship, where the team finished 2nd overall! The team has continued to build momentum throughout the month and will begin competition in the NJSIAA State Tournament this week. We wish our players and coaches the best of luck as they continue their postseason journey!
Girls Volleyball Making a Statement
Girls Volleyball has also enjoyed an excellent September, picking up several impressive victories against strong competition. The team earned victories over North Hunterdon twice this month and also defeated defending state champion Old Bridge. These results highlight the team's hard work, determination, and ability to compete at a high level. We look forward to following the team as they continue their season and enter the postseason portion of their schedule.
Fall Postseason Is Approaching
The excitement will continue to build throughout October as many of our fall athletic programs prepare to compete in county tournaments and postseason competition. Our student-athletes have put in countless hours of preparation, and we are excited to see their hard work rewarded as they take the next step toward county championships and the NJSIAA State Tournament.
A reminder that winter sports registration is now open in Genesis and should be completed by November 1. Make sure your physical is up to date - they should be dated after 11/15/25 to be valid for Winter 2026-2027 season. Instructions to complete sports registration were emailed to parents and are available here.
Come out and support our athletes! Click here for our sports schedule. Go Red Devils!
Follow Hunterdon Central Athletics on Instagram @hc_athletics20.
(Note: Please note our new link to sports schedule above. Websites for the sports schedule and the athletics homepage have changed this year; both can be accessed from the HCRHS website.)
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Contact Us
Looking for the house office or a specific staff member? Access our staff directory on our website:
https://www.hcrhs.org/contact-information.
General Email: communications@hcrhs.org
Website: https://www.hcrhs.org/
Location: 84 Route 31, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: (908) 782-5727